Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called for expanded energy cooperation between Iran and Russia, saying that closer coordination among the gas-producing countries is essential to global energy security.

In an article published by Russian newspaper Vedomosti on Monday, the top diplomat attributed the challenges facing global energy and food security to the United States’ coercive measures in the region.

He noted how the recent unprovoked US and Israeli military aggression against Iran and continued military threats had led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and disrupted global gas supplies, particularly in Asia.

Iran closed the waterway following the launch of the aggression on February 28.

The Islamic Republic and the US agreed on a 60-day reopening period as part of a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding in June, but American violations forced Tehran to re-establish the closure.

Citing International Energy Agency estimates, Araghchi said more than 112 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) passed through the strait in 2025, accounting for approximately one-fifth of global LNG trade.

The official, however, also pointed to the current sharply higher gas prices in Europe and storage levels ahead of winter that remain significantly below those recorded a year earlier.

He additionally noted that 90 percent of the gas transiting the strait is consumed in Asian markets.

Araghchi said President Masoud Pezeshkian was set to pursue greater cooperation in Moscow alongside counterparts from 11 gas-producing countries during a pending visit to the Russian capital, where the chief executive is expected to address the eighth summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF).

Pezeshkian to visit Moscow on Monday for GECF summit, energy talks: Official

Pezeshkian would depart for the Russian capital on Monday evening, with his address to the summit scheduled for Tuesday.

Araghchi identified Russian investment in Iranian oil and gas fields, technology transfer, equipment supply, and joint technical capabilities as key areas for bilateral cooperation. He said closer ties could increase production and export capacity, attract investment, and improve efficiency, despite restrictions arising from American-imposed unilateral coercive measures.

Citing the GECF's Global Gas Outlook 2055 report, he said 86 percent of global gas production by 2055 was expected to come from fields not currently producing.

In addition to military aggression and unilateral measures, Araghchi identified infrastructure investment requirements and complex long-term contracts as two other obstacles to expanded energy cooperation.

The foreign minister noted that, towards resolving the issues surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, Iran had offered a Seven-Day Plan, saying that the plan’s implementation was conditioned on fulfillment of the Islamic Republic’s conditions by the other side and elimination of military threats.

The Islamic Republic has previously named some of the conditions as cessation of aggression on all fronts, removal of an illegal naval blockade that the US has imposed on the country, lifting of illegal sanctions, and unfreezing of Iran’s frozen assets.

He said that lasting stability in global energy markets required constructive dialogue, mutual respect, and the fulfillment of commitments, concluding that the outcome depended on political will and cooperation from all relevant parties, including Washington.